Steve Baur has accepted a full-time position with Canada Basketball's women's national team program, ending his six-year head coaching career at Acadia that included one Atlantic University Sport Championship and three AUS final appearances.

Director of Athletics Kevin Dickie praised Baur for his contribution to Acadia basketball.

“I have very mixed emotions. As our athletics director, I am sad to see a tremendous person leave Acadia, but as a friend, I am very happy and proud of Steve,” Dickie said. “His aspirations to be with our national program have been clear to me for some time to the extent that I was a reference for him.”

The loss of Baur won’t keep Acadia from being a nationally competitive program, Dickie added.

During the six seasons as head coach of the Axemen, Baur posted a 66-54 regular season record and an AUS playoff record of six wins and five losses. Under his leadership, Acadia had three consecutive appearances at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Final 8 from 2010 to 2013 that included a loss in the bronze medal game in 2012-13 and a consolation win in 2011-12.

This past season, Baur was named the AUS coach of the year, while the Axemen finished first in the AUS with a 15-5 record but fell short in advancing to the CIS Final 8

Prior to taking over as the Head Coach at Acadia in 2008, Baur spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Acadia.

“My time at Acadia will always be in my heart. With time here as a student, assistant and head coach, I have enjoyed over 15 years in a community that has helped shape who I am,” said Baur.

He added that he felt fortunate to have worked with the students he recruited to the basketball program.